Psilocybe subaeruginosa
Description
Psilocybe subaeruginosa is a fascinating agaric fungus of the family Hymenogastraceae, celebrated for its distinctive blue bruising and psychoactive compounds, psilocybin and psilocin. Discovered in 1927 by Australian mycologist John Burton Cleland, this mushroom is widely found in Australia and New Zealand’s lush forests, where it thrives on wood debris, forest litter, and occasionally on dung. 🌲🍄
🧬 Psychedelic Properties & Alkaloid Content: Like other Psilocybe species, P. subaeruginosa contains psilocybin, though levels vary—studies report concentrations from as low as 0.06% to a remarkable 1.93%. Psilocin levels tend to be lower, often undetectable in certain tests. As a blueing member of Psilocybe’s Cyanescens section, it shares some visual traits with other potent species, like Psilocybe cyanescens, known for producing potential compounds for psychotropic therapies. 🌌✨
🌍 Natural Habitat & Distribution: P. subaeruginosa flourishes in the cool, damp forests of southern Australia, especially between April and August. This mushroom is also spotted in pine plantations, Eucalyptus forests, and famously in New Zealand, where it mingles with other wood-loving Psilocybes. Solitary to gregarious in growth, it serves as a saprotroph, decomposing plant matter and hinting at future uses in biofuels. 🌧️🪵
🔬 Close Relation: Interestingly, Psilocybe subaeruginosa is closely related to the New Zealand species Psilocybe weraroa, which has its spores tucked inside an enclosed structure rather than exposed on gills.
Mushroom Identification
🧭 Caution: Due to its variable appearance, it can be mistaken for toxic species. Always double-check with a trusted guide or expert!
🍄 Cap: 0.39 to 2.36 inches (1 to 6 cm) across, typically caramel to orange-brown, and hygrophanous 🌧️ — changing color as it dries to golden, cream, or pale biscuit shades. It starts conical but can spread out and upturn with age, sometimes developing an acute little bump (umbo). The cap edge is often striated, especially when moist, and may have veil remnants early on. This mushroom has a unique, peelable gelatinous layer on the cap called a pellicle, perfect for up-close inspection! 👀
🌿 Gills: Moderately close, these start off pale smoky-brown and mature to a violet-brown or brownish-gray 🪶. They attach broadly to the stem, with edges that can appear slightly lighter.
📏 Stem: 1.97 to 3.94 inches (5 to 10 cm) tall, slim, and hollow with a whitish base. The surface can display fibrous streaks, often with blue-green blotches from bruising 🟦, and may have a white, webby partial veil when young.
🦠 Spore Print: A key identifier 🔍, this mushroom’s spore print is a striking purple-black, although in rare cases, it can appear brown due to genetic variation.
💙 Bruising: Blue bruising is a hallmark of Psilocybe subaeruginosa, seen on the cap, gills, and stem where it’s handled or damaged.
🏡 Habitat: Native to Australia 🇦🇺, this mushroom flourishes in damp sclerophyll forests, pine plantations, and urban parks. Often growing in wood debris, it’s commonly found among eucalyptus leaves, bracken fern, tea tree, and even garden mulch.
📆 Season: Look for this species between late March and August 🍂, especially after chilly mornings and heavy dews. In Mediterranean climates, early May rains mark their appearance.
Synonyms
Psilocybe australiana Guzmán & Watling (1978)
Psilocybe cyanescens sensu Segedin, Beevera, P.R. Johnst. & P.K. Buchanan (1991)
Psilocybe eucalypta Guzmán & Watling (1978)
Photo sources:
Photo 1 - Author: Brendan Costello (Public Domain)
Photo 2 - Author: Dylan Wishart (CC BY 4.0)
Photo 3 - Author: Beau Meister (CC BY 4.0)
Photo 4 - Author: Brendan Costello (Public Domain)
